"If we seek security rather than the realization of our abilities, safety rather than growth, then we will be accentuating and developing our capacity for fear rather than courage, and security will, paradoxically, always remain slightly outside of our reach." -- Michael Lynberg

Cherie and Lisa create an impromptu "Wilma" costume. Hurricane Wilma forced Key West to post-pone Fantast Fest 2005. The locals didn't heed the warnings and held their own "unauthorized" Fantasy Fest.

Our gang is ready to celebrate our own localized version of Fantasy Fest!

Wilma and Captain Morgan.

The mermaid at Crabby Dick's in Key West.

Theo is Peter Pan.

George and Susan.

Look at that healthy butt!

Brian can't help but check out Diane's butt.

Samurai princess?

"Disaster relief" finally arrives in Key West, just in time for the parade.

Where's the bride?

There go the ladies in white.

Here come the ladies in red.

The bead givers.

Create your own caption for this photo.

Brian. Cherie and Greg.

All ages are welcome at Fantasy Fest!

Level 1 Creepy.

Level 2 Creepy.

Level 3 Creepy.

Off to go shopping!

Who has the longer beard?

Does your horse inflate?

It's officially "Football Season!"

The two Wilmas find Fred!

It's hard to keep farmers away from their sheep!

In Key West, there's no need to race to the finish!

Choose your weapon.

He's definately a fruit.

Big lips are the latest fashion.

You can't have a party without music!

Groovin' down the street.

Lisa gets a check-up!

Cowgirl, island-style.

Direct from Bali.

The parade marches on.

Medusa.

Are those hippies in Key West?

The power of pink.

Those crazy ladies!

In a parade like this, who need spectators?

Families are welome and children are celebrated!

Cherie and the "Pimp Daddy."

The vikings have invaded!

He's saving that toilet paper for later.

Nurse!

A colorful gang!

Attack of the little people!

Who is that masked woman?

Lisa and Brian.

The brides are still glowing.

The "over-dressed" nudist.

How do you impress a "hot chick" when you are wearing a cape and a cummerbund?

Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Theo calls everyone and says: "Come on down! Join the parade!"

Lisa does her "Yabba, Dabba, Do!"

She should consider Lasik eye-surgery.

Can your pet ride a moped?

It must have taken a long time for this dog to teach his owner to ride this scooter through traffic.

The two Wilmas on mopeds.

Crazy Brian!

Theo and Diane are still happy after 16-years of marriage.

An Aka from the remote hills of Thailand.

All roads lead to Rome.

Imported from Athens.

Glasgow meets Bedrock.

A sailor picks up a few Queens.

The hottest chicks get a free ride.

Dorothy learns the hard way that she's not in Kansas anymore.

Lance lives strong.

The parade marches on.

Who knew coughing could be so much fun?

Wilma finds another Fred.

In Key West, pets are encouraged to bring their owners to all parades.

Greg and Cherie.

That kid is an animal!

Wild hair and wild hats.

The orange freak.

Crazy George.

He'll have Nun of that!

A rainbow of personalities make up Key West.

cherie writes: Greg, Lisa, Brian and I were determined to get to Fantasy Fest 2005. When Hurricane Wilma tore across Southern Florida and left 70 percent of Key West underwater, we didn’t give up our quest.

Some called us crazy. But we drove to the Florida Keys even when the news reports said the highway was closed. We continued driving even when we were told that Fantasy Fest was postponed. We heard the bridges were out…we continued to drive.

I don’t know what we were looking for. As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Not all who wander are lost.” Here’s what we found in Key West—a highly “unauthorized” Fantasy Fest. Our friends Theo and Diane welcomed us into their Key West home. In honor of the courage of the local Conchs, Lisa and I dressed as “Wilma.”